News Release

November 1 Deadline For Farmers, Ranchers To Apply For Conservation Financial Help

NOV. 1 Deadline For Farmers, Ranchers To Apply For Conservation Financial Help

EQIP and WHIP Application Deadline

PHOENIX, Oct. 28, 2011— The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), with an application deadline of Nov. 1. NRCS will review applications from applicants who have completed a conservation plan and that are received by this date and rank them for fiscal year 2012 funding.

NRCS helped farmers and ranchers with a broad spectrum of natural resource enhancements in 2011, including increasing irrigation efficiency, nutrient and manure management on dairies, grazing land management, wildlife habitat, forest management and more. The funding was used on infrastructure items such as underground drip irrigation and livestock watering systems, as well as incentive payments for proper management to achieve environmental benefits.

Agriculture producers are encouraged to apply throughout the year for EQIP, WHIP, and other Farm Bill programs administered by NRCS. “The Nov. 1 deadline is simply so we set a time to review and rank applications for funding,” said Keisha Tatem, NRCS State Conservationist. “Farmers and ranchers can apply whenever they are ready to plan improvements to their land’s natural resources. Additional application ranking deadlines may be announced throughout the year.”

NRCS has 24 field offices throughout Arizona with experts ready to help farmers and ranchers get the best use out of the land’s natural resources. Visit the web at www.az.nrcs.usda.gov to learn more about the technical and financial help NRCS provides.

Arizona farmers, ranchers, dairies, nursery growers, and other agricultural producers can apply for financial help to get an energy audit for their operation. The Arizona On-Farm Energy Initiative, part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), is being offered for Fiscal Year 2012 funding. This initiative is open to agricultural producers for the development of Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP), Conservation Activity Plans (CAP) and for individual on-farm energy audits.

Agriculture producers seeking to reduce PM10 (dust) and other forms of air pollution can apply for help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS has funding in Arizona, along with technical expertise, that is available to farmers and ranchers to improve air quality, through the Air Quality Enhancement Program, an Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) from the 2008 Farm Bill.

Certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production are encouraged to apply for conservation funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications must be submitted by November 1 to be considered for 2012 funding through the NRCS organic initiative.